Reflections on a 50 Year Journey in Electrical Safety

For more than 50 years, I have explored advancements in technology, safe work practices, management systems, and human and organizational performance as they relate to electrical safety. During this journey, I have seen annual electrocution fatalities decrease by more than 80% in the U.S. However, other industrialized countries have demonstrated significantly better results in reducing electrical fatalities, which suggests that a significant reduction in the U.S. is possible. This paper discusses the limitations of compliance-based safety management systems that have evolved in the U.S. over the past 50 years and how systems safety concepts can complement and improve the effectiveness of compliance-based electrical safety programs.